Foundation of Literature

Reflection

Title : Lanang

Author : Yonathan Rahardjo

Editor : A. Fathoni

Publisher : Pustaka Alvabet

Year : 2008

Page : 440

Size : 12,5 X 20 cm

Summary :

Dewi was a holder of doctorate who worked as a henchman of foreign corporation. She had a duty for supplying genetic engineer product from foreign country. She created transgenic animal that was able to spread the virus of disease named wild boar bird or Burung Babi Hutan. Since appearing of this peculiar animal, the area of dairy cow where Lanang worked suddenly attacked by the mysterious disease. Lanang was a clever veterinarian. With the government and the society, they tried to find out the cause of the dairy cow’s death. He had made some researches, but he still failed to solve it. When he had been out of ideas, an animal shaman declared his statement that the cow’s of the dairy cow’s death was an animal with supernatural powers which was called Burung Babi Hutan. Traditional mysticism polemic versus modern biotechnology made the problem become hard to be solved.

Comment :

Reading this novel is like watching a movie. The plot of the story is very surprising. This story vividly tells about disagreement, deception, religion, spiritual, accident, prostitution and sex. There is a psychological conflict among the characters that is appeared deeply and presented like real. Honestly, I have already known that Marah Rusli, Taufik Ismail and Asrul Sani are animal veterinarian. Same like Yonathan Rahardjo, behind their skills in animal medical, they also have skill in writing many interesting novels. I think that is an impressive thing. An animal veterinarian who dominates the scientific language can also dominate poetic language. Apparently scientists also can be romantic person. I think Lanang is an interesting reading.

Experience :

The story of Lanang represented psychological and spiritual condition of Indonesia people nowadays. This story can be a reflection of what is being happened in the field of animal medical and animal husbandry in this country. Mysticism that has been personality of Indonesia and science are often become a debate case for our society. They can never be able to be united because they have their own position in our society.

Media Pembelajaran

Chapter 11

E-learning: online teaching and training

e-learning refers to learning that takes place using technology, such as the internet, CD-ROMs and portable devices like mobile phones or MP3 players. Terms that are associated with e-learning and often used interchangeably and can be rather confusing are:

- Distance learning. It originally applied to traditional paper-based distance courses delivered by mail.

- Open learning. This is one aspect of distance learning and simply refers to how much independence the learner has.

- Online Learning. This is learning which takes place via the Internet.

- Blended learning. This is a mixture of online and face-to-face course delivery.

Online learning is often delivered via a learning ‘platform’ or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It also known as a Learner Management System (LMS), or a virtual classroom, a VLE is a web-based platform on which course content can be stored. Learners can access it on the internet. They also can see course content, such as documents, audio and video lectures, and they can do activities such as quizzes, questionnaires and tests or use communication tools like discussion forums or text and audio chat. The advantage of a VLE for course delivery is that everything is n one place, and most VLEs provide tracking facilities, so that the online tutor can see who has logged n when, and see what activities learners have done, or what documents and forums they have accessed.

Media Pembelajaran (Chapter 10)

CHAPTER 10

Producing electronic material

What are electronic materials?

Electronic materials refer to informational resources, exercises and activities that teachers create and the learners use on a computer as web page or CD-ROM content, or even in printed form. There are many reasons why teachers might want to create and use their own electronic materials in class. Firstly, teachers will be able to provide extra practice for weaker learners, and consolidation and review exercises for groups. Secondly, as teachers build up a collection of their own resources with their own learners’ need in mind, teachers will start to generate a large bank of materials which can be used in class or for self-study at any point in the future. In class these kinds of materials can provide a change of pace and can be highly motivating.

Creating electronic materials online

One of the easist way of getting started in creating electronic materials online is to use some of the simple exercise generators which can be found online. One of the most popular is the Discovery School Puzzlemaker (http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com). Puzzle makers are ideal tools for reviewing vocabulary, and take the hard work out of preparing many different quick qiizzes. Another useful tool is Smile (http://smile.clear.msu.edu.). This tool allows teachers to create a free account in which to manage their own online bank of exercises with student tracking and a good variety of exercise types.

What is an outhoring tool?

An authoring tool is an installable program that allows teachers to create materials in electronic format which can then be distributed on a CD-ROM, DVD, USB pen drive, floppy disc or via a web page to the learners. Authorinng programs are used to make CD-ROM-based reference tools like Microsoft Encarta, but also more simple resources like information leaflets, brochures, handouts and interactive exercises.

Using authoring tools to produce materials

One of the most famous authoring tool in teachers field is Hot Potatoes. This is a small Windows or Mac program that creates a variety of exercises and can be freely downloaded for educational porposes (http://hotpot.uvic.ca/). This program will install on teachers computerand allow teachers to create web-based execises of the following types:

- multiple choice

- short answer

- jumbled sentence

- crossword

- matching/ordering

- gap-fill

Chapter 9

Technology-based courseware

CD-ROM or Compact Disc Read-Only Memory looks exactly like an audio CD but contains multimedia files that are programmed to use text, images, audio and video to provide interactivity. CD-ROMs are primarily designed for learners to work on alone as follow up to a lesson, either in a school self-access centre or at home. They can include features such as allowing learners to choose their own path through the CD-ROM materials by making their own lesson plans. Many coursebook CD-ROMs also have testing materials incorporated, so that learners can check their own progress, as well as a grammar reference section and mini-dictionary.

DVD or Digital Versatile Disc similar to CD-ROMs in that a variety of data can be stored on them but they have much greater storage capacity than CD-ROMs. DVDs are usually used as an alternative to video cassettes, which are becoming increasingly outdated. There are several types of activities that can be done to integrate a CD-ROM into the class :

- In the single computer classroom or school, pairs of learners can take turns to do a few CD-ROM activities.

- If the teacher has access to a data projector and one computer, CD-ROM or DVD content can be projected onto a screen for the whole class to view and work on together, with learners taking turns to take control of the computer mouse.

- If the school has a computer room or self-access centre, the teacher can program in regular short sessions, for example once a week or fortnight, in which learners work alone or in pairs on CD-ROM materials during class time.

Computer-based testing, online testing, e-assessment… all of these terms refer to a phenomenon which has become increasingly visible in English language teaching in the last few years, that of taking test via a computer rather than on paper. Here are some examples :

- Learners can be given a diagnostic test on a computer before they start a course. This assesses their language levels in the skills of reading, writing, listening and even in discrete item pronunciation, as well as in grammar and vocabulary.

- Learners can take simple progress tests on CD-ROM. These tests will be based on the work that the learners have been doing in their coursebooks.

- Learners can take internationally recognized examinations on a computer, for example the Internet-based TOEFL Test from ETS.

Electronic portfolios also called ePortfolios or digital portfolios. A portfolio is considered to be a richer way of assessing students, as it provides a much clearer idea of learner achievements and products than test scores or grades. ePortfolios are becomingly increasingly common in education, especially in secondary schools and further education institutions, reflecting the growing importance of, and access to, technology in our lives, as well as the rise of the electronic job market. A learner applying for a job with a company can send an ePortfolio of work to a prospective employer easily and quickly, and so display a range of skills not reflected in a test score.

An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is made interactive by being linked to a computer which uses special IWB software. The tree components needed to use an IWB are the whiteboard itself, a computer which has IWB software installed and a data projector which projects the image from the computer screen onto the whiteboard. What makes the interactive whiteboard different from a normal whiteboard is that the teacher uses a special pen (or their finger with some makes of board) to manipulate content on the whiteboard itself, rather than using the mouse to manipulate images on the computer screen, which the teacher can also do. The main advantage of an IWB used with a computer and data projector over a computer and data projector used on their own is that teachers can write on the IWB with their fingers and interact with what is on the screen from the front of the class rather than having to look down to their computers and using the mouse too control the screen.

Chapter 8

Online reference tools

· Dictionaries

There are many dictionaries that usually used by learners like bilingual, semi-bilingual or monolingual dictionaries. Traditionally monolingual dictionaries have been used by higher-level learners, but increasingly there is a wide range of monolingual dictionaries that have been written for learners with a lower level of language proficiency. Teacher can find the appropiate dictionary by clicking on terms in popular word processing programs or on web pages. Some electronic dictionaries are also available free online with limited functionality, for example including the definition but not giving teacher the audio. Clearly, these electronic dictionaries provide a powerful resource for learners working on their own in the classroom.

· Thesauruses

Thesauruses are more suited to the intermediate and advance levels than to the elementary or pre-intermediate levels, where much more language is new to the learners. A thesaurus can be used for writing projects. It can encourage leraners to be more adventurous in their creative writing at the same time as helping them to analyse their output more critically.

· Concordancers and corpuses for language analysis

A concordancer is similar to a search engine in many respects. Essentially, it is a samll program that can examine large quantities of text for patterns and occurences of particular words or phrases. Corpus can be used for generating test material. It can be used for higher levels. A corpus can serve as a useful reference tool in the classroom for the more intricate example of language use.

Chapter 7

Blogs, wikis and podcasts

· Blogs in language teaching

Blog is essentially a web page with regular diary or journal entries. Blogs used in education is known as edublogs. Edublogs cover a wide range of topics related to education, from musings on educational policy and developments to learner composition. An edublog can be set up by a teacher, by individual learners or by a class. A teacher may decide to use a blog to provide their learners with news and comments on issues, extra reading practice or homework, online links, a summary of a class for learners who were unable to attend, study tips and so on.

A blog set up and maintained by a teacher is known as a tutor blog. The teacher may decide to allow their learners to write comments in the blog. A teacher may encourage their learners to each set up and maintain their own individual blog. These are known as student blogs. Learners can be ask to to post to their blogs, once or twice a week, or however the teacher judges convenient, and content can range from comment on current affair to description of daily activities.

· Wikis in language teaching

Wiki is a collaborative web space, consisting of a number of pages that can be edited by any user. A wiki is like a public website, or public web page, started by one person, but which subsequent visitor can add to, delete or change as they wish. A wiki lends itself especially well to collaborative writing. The mechanic of using a wiki are relatively simple: learners can add new pages to a wiki, as well as edit to a previous pages.

· Podcasts in language teaching

Podcast is an audio and /or video file that that is broadcast via the Internet and can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device such as an MP3 player for listening/viewing. There are two main uses of podcasts in teaching. Firstly learner can listen to podcasts made by other hand, secondly, they can produce their own podcasts.

Reflection

Title : For Margaret
Author : Stanley Moss

Summary :
This poem tells about a daughter and her mother who was dying. She tried to remember about her mother’s poor life that full with sadness. Although her mother was just a poor woman but her mother always helps her to carry the weight of her life. She was very regret that she cannot make her mother happy. Now, when she realized that her mother was dying, she wishes that she could to sit upon the grass together with her mother and talk about grandchildren and great grandchildren with her. She wish that she could spend her time with accompany her mother’s life.

Comment :
I think this poem is full with repentance in one’s life. The writer wrote each verse clearly and used some simile words in describing a woman’s poor life.

Experience :
This poem reminds me with my mother. It teaches me that I have to make my mother’s life happy because I do not want to feel regret later. As a daughter, I do not want to make my mother’s life in vain. I will take her care and protect her as much as I can.

Reflection

Title    : Letter to the butterflies
Author : Stanley Moss

Summary :
This poem tells about someone who writes letter to the butterflies. He interests so much with the butterflies’ life. On his writing, he tries to describe about how hard their life. They traveled 5000 miles since summer. They live in a valley that surrounded by living mountains of butterflies. They have to protect themselves from the long tongue of lizards and insecticides. They may die anonymously. He thinks that his life is same with their life because full with struggle.

Comment :
I think this poem is very full with simile words. The writer tries to describe about the life of butterflies and he make it perfectly. With his knowledge about butterflies, he make me who read this poem imagine how hard life is.

Experience :
When I read this poem, it teaches me about life. Like the butterflies’ life that full with struggle, I think I have to do the same. I have to try to undergo my life to be better and better. I do not have to fell abandon with my life.

Chapter 7

Blogs, wikis and podcasts

Social software

Blogs, wikis, and podcasts are all examples of social software, computer tools which allow people to connect, to communicate and to collaborate online.

o Blog is essentially a web page with regular diary or journal entries.

o Wiki is a collaborative web space, consisting of a number of pages that can be edited by any user.

o Podcast is an audio and /or video file that that is broadcast via the Internet and can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device such as an MP3 player for listening/viewing.

Blogs in language teaching

Blogs used in education is known as edublogs. Edublogs cover a wide range of topics related to education, from musings on educational policy and developments to learner composition.

An edublog can be set up by a teacher, by individual learners or by a class. A teacher may decide to use a blog to provide their learners with news and comments on issues, extra reading practice or homework, online links, a summary of a class for learners who were unable to attend, study tips and so on.

A blog set up and maintained by a teacher is known as a tutor blog. The teacher may decide to allow their learners to write comments in the blog.

A teacher may encourage their learners to each set up and maintain their own individual blog. These are known as student blogs. Learners can be ask to to post to their blogs, once or twice a week, or however the teacher judges convenient, and content can range from comment on current affair to description of daily activities.

How to start using blogs with learners

Step 1. Setting up a sample blog

Step 2. Setting up a student blogs

Step 3. Posting to and visiting blogs

Step 4. Follow up

Wikis in language teaching

A wiki is like a public website, or public web page, started by one person, but which subsequent visitor can add to, delete or change as they wish. A wiki lends itself especially well to collaborative writing. The mechanic of using a wiki are relatively simple: learners can add new pages to a wiki, as well as edit to a previous pages.

How to start using a wiki with learners

Step 1. Preparation before lesson

Step 2. In famous people: description

Step 3. In famous people: corrections

Podcasts in language teaching

There are two main uses of podcasts in teaching. Firstly learner can listen to podcasts made by other hand, secondly, they can produce their own podcasts.

How to create learner podcasts

Step 1. Setting up a podcast page

Step 2. Creating learner podcasts

Step 3. Listening to learner podcasts

Step 4. Follow up

Chapter 6

How to use chat

Chat in language teaching

Chat is a tool that allows for synchronous, e. real-time, communication over internet. Chat has enormous potential to link student around the world, in real time. It is possible to use a chat in the classroom because many learners will often be familiar with this technology and will use in their social lives.

There are advantages to use a chat in learning process either in or outside the classroom, like:

o Using chat in the classroom can be hugely motivating to learners because by using it teacher is bringing current technology into the language learning process.

o Teachers can link up classes and groups in different locations.

o Learners in the same class can chat together in outside the classroom to improve their English as part of their homework or self-study activities.

o Teacher need to have a clear purpose for using a chat in the classroom.

Types of chat

1. Text chat

2. Audio or voice chat

3. Public chat

4. Private chat

There are several different types of educational chat that teacher can set up with learners.

1. Free topic chats

2. Collaborative, task-oriented chats

3. Informative or academic chats

4. Practice chats

How to start using text or voice chat with learners?

Step 1. Install and learn to use the software

Step 2. A practice chat class

Step 3. Contact with another class

Chapter 5

How to use email

Email is one of the most used and useful information and communication technology (ICT) tools around today.

The benefit of email

Ø Email allows teacher to keep in touch with other teachers around the world via mailing list and discussion groups, thus helping in teacher’s professional development.

Ø Email allows teacher to communicate with the learners outside the classroom.

Ø Email can be used in outside class time

Ø Reading and writing emails either in or outside class time give a learner more exposure to the target language, and interaction is real in the sense that learners are writing to real people using a real medium.

Ø Email is the technology that is relatively simple to use and most of the learners are familiar with it.

Basic email skills

§ Communicative skills

It is good idea to remind learners that there are levels of formality in email writing. These are rules for effective online communication:

ü Not using only capital letters, which is perceived as shouting online.

ü Being sure to respect others’ opinion

ü Avoiding flaming

ü Make sure that files sent as email attachments are not too large, as the person receiving the email may not be able to download them.

§ Technical skills

ü Apart from basic word processing and typing skill, learners will need to have an email account. Many learners will already have a personal or work email account that they will be willing to use for their language classwork, but others may need help with setting up new email account.

ü Once learners have their email accounts, they need to be able to send and receive email, and to attach and open documents in email.

ü It is also useful for learners to have basic skills, such as knowledge about viruses sent by email, and spam or unsolicited junk email and how to protect themselves from them.

Chapter 4

Internet-based Project Work

There are many compelling reasons for using Internet-based projects in the classroom :

1. They are structured way for teachers to begin to incorporate the Internet into the language classroom, on both a short-term and a long basis.

2. No specialists technical knowledge either to produce or to use Internet-based projects.

3. The use of projects encourages cooperative learning, and therefore stimulates expression.

4. They can be used simply for language learning purposes, but can also be interdisciplinary, allowing for cross-over into other departments and subjects.

5. They encourage critical thinking skill.

The way how to prepare for using Internet-based project work:

· Choose the project topic

· Make the task clear

· Find the resources

· Decide on the outcome.

Internet-based stimulation

Internet-based stimulation bring real-life context to the classroom, helping the learners to deal with situations that they may come across during foreign travel or in encounters with other speaker of English.

- A business English stimulation

The benefit of this kind stimulation is that it uses real websites, and a potentially real situation, to further the learners reading, information processing, planning and communication skill that are useful in this professional context.

- A general English stimulation

Stimulation need to address potential real-life situations in order to appeal to the learner. This might be presented as an award given to the students, with a limited budget, making the actual logistics more challenging, but more real.

Webquests

Webquests are mini projects in which a large percentage of the Input and material is supplied from the Internet. Webquests can be teacher-made or learner-made, depending on the learning activity that the teacher decides on.

The types of Webquests:

o Short-term webquests

o Longer-term webquests

Webquest creation

Creating a webquest does not require much detailed technical knowledge. The skillshet for producing a webquests is very similar in planning Internet-based lessons, and might be define as:

o Research skills

o Analytical skills

o Word processing skills

Early Modern Literature

On My First Son
by Ben Jonson

Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy ;
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy.
Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay,
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.
Oh, could I lose all father now ! For why
Will man lament the state he should envy?
To have so soon 'scaped world's and flesh's rage,
And if no other misery, yet age !
Rest in soft peace, and, asked, say, Here doth lie
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such
As what he loves may never like too much.

Summary:

This poem tells about a father who need to take a rest because he was too tired in his life. He realized that his sin was too much. He wanted to leave this such live and his son. He did not want to have other misery because he thought that lament and envy were useful.

Reflection

Reflection

Title : Oedipus

Author : Sophocles

Year : 430 BC

Adopted by : John Dryden and Nathaniel Lee

Period : Restoration

Published : 1679

Summary :

Oedipus was the son of The King Thebes Laius and Queen Jocasta. When he was born, his parents threw him away because he was prophesied that he would murder his father and marry his mother. Luckily he was found by a peasant who took him to his master The King of Corinth Polybus and adopted him as his own son. Many years later Oedipus heard from an oracle about that prediction. He was frightened and decided to flee from home to Thebes. On his way, he met a chariot on the crossroad. A dispute arose between them that caused Oedipus killed his unrecognized father. Then Oedipus married the widow Queen Jocasta because he had defeated the Sphinx by solving mysterious riddle. Soon after, a plague struck the city of Thebes. Then he discovered the truth, that he had killed his own father Laius and married his own mother Jocasta. At his realization, Jocasta killed herself and Oedipus blinded himself.

Comment :

Since the first time I read this story, I think that it is full with mystery. It recounts about sadness, love, slaying and tragedy. It also provides a psychological conflict among the character. This story teaches me about life that I cannot avoid my fate. Because how much I am trying to avoid it, it will become true.

Experience :

After reading the story of Oedipus, it reminds me with other stories that I have ever read. One of them is Electra. Although there is not relation between the story of Electra and Oedipus on their plot or their author, but psychology they have similarity in their behavior deviation. Both of them killed their unrecognized parents. Nevertheless, they have different aim. Electra killed her own mother Clytemnestra to revenge his father death King Agamemnon. Oedipus killed his own father Laius to protect himself.

Oedipus also reminds me with the story of Zeus. Same with Oedipus, Zeus also was prophesied that he would murder his own father Cronus for taking his throne. Cronus (Zeus’ father) and Laius (Oedipus’ father) were afraid if the prophecy become true. So they avoided the calamity by throwing their sons away. Moreover, their own sons killed both of them.

In Oedipus story, there is the incestuous marriage between Oedipus and Jocasta. That thing reminds me with the other story that has similarity. It is Sangkuriang. Sangkuriang is one of the popular stories of Sundanese. Same with Oedipus, Sangkuriang also loved his own mother Dayang Sumbi but Sangkuriang failed to marry her since Dayang Sumbi realized that Sangkuriang was her own son.

Restoration Period

Oedipus the King

Oedipus was the son of the King Thebes Laius and Queen Jocasta. When he was a baby, his parents threw him away because he was predicted would murder his own father and married his mother. Luckily, he was found by a crosier. Then he was given to the King of Corinthian Polybus. When he was adult, his foster father told him about himself, that he was a son of King Thebes. He also told that his father was his enemy. He asked Oedipus to kill his father to avenge him. After knowing all about himself, he denied it and got away. He decided to be a nomad.

On his way, he met with a cavalcade from Thebes. Unfortunately, the King of Thebes also was there. Because of the incident, he had to kill the king without knowing that the king was his own father. Then he came to Thebes. He succeeded to kill the spinx monster that disturbed that country. Because of his bravery, he married Queen Jocasta. They lived happily. But one day, they knew about the truth that Oedipus had married his own mother. Jocasta was very sad and committed to suicide. Whereas Oedipus blinded and exile himself.

Reflection

Title : Hamlet

Author : William Shakespeare

Summary :

It recounts about prince Hamlet who exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father, the King Hamlet, and then taken the throne and married Hamlet's mother. King Claudius kills his father by pouring poison in his ear. He avenges his father by feigning madness.

Comment :

I think this story is full with tragedy and controversy. The story vividly charts the course of real and feigned madness and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.

Experience :

As a human being, I think it is normal if we have desire to revenge to someone who had lacerated or disturb our life. I myself have ever experienced it. I ever have feeling to revenge someone who has lacerated my mom. But as human who have God, we have to believe on our destiny. Everything has been controlled by God and we just have to undergo this life and of course with our effort to make this life better. We have to think that vengeance just can make our life miserable.

CHAPTER 3

Using Websites

Using Websites can be done by teachers for introducing the internet to the learners. It is one of the easiest and least stressful ways of getting started with technology in the classroom. There are many things that teachers can do in using it like finding teaching materials, finding images for illustrating the teaching materials, searching online videos like music videos and other multimedia classes for demonstrating materials in a more lively way, etc. But before using it, teachers have to evaluate how useful and appropriate it is for the classroom. They also have to think of the aims and objectives of their lesson. They can evaluate it by thinking of accuracy, currency, content and functionality. The important thing is by using it, both teachers and learners can improve their skill and knowledge in learning process and make the learning process more attractive.

Media Pembelajaran

CHAPTER 2

Word Processor in the Classroom

Word processors can be used in many inventive ways both teachers and students. Most teachers and learners have to be familiar with the basic functions of a word processing program and how to create, store and save documents.

Teachers may use a word processing program to prepare worksheets and materials for the learners. Teachers also can use it for correcting, editing and providing feedback on the learner digitally submitted written work. Teachers can prepare, create, store and share materials by using a word processing program both in and outside the classroom, to practice writing skills, grammar and other language points. By using word processors teachers can make creative writing, language practice and presenting work.

Media Pembelajaran

CHAPTER 1

Technology in the classroom

Technology in language teaching is needed. The use of technology in the classroom is becoming increasingly important. There are many reasons for that, for instance:

• Internet access is becoming increasingly available to learners.
• Younger learners are growing up with technology and it is a natural and integrated part of their lives.
• Technology, especially the Internet, presents us with new opportunities for authentic tasks and materials.
• Learners increasingly expect language schools to integrate technology into teaching.

Computer-based materials (CALL) for language teaching appeared in the early 1980s. Early CALL programs typically required learners to respond to stimuli on the computer screen and to carry out task such as filling in gapped texts, matching sentence halves and doing multiple-choice activities.

Teachers do not need to have any specialist technical knowledge or skills. The basic skills that teachers do need to in place is know how to be able to use technology in the classroom, how to use a simple processing program, how to use email and how to access and use the internet. Teachers should be able to increase the skills and to feel a lot more confident about using technology in the classroom.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO

By: William Sheakespeare

Characters:

• Othello, a noble Moor inthe service of the Republic of Venice. He is the main protagonist

• Brabantio, a venetian senator, Desdemona's father

• Desdemona, Brabantio's daughter and Othello's wife

• Iago, Othello's ensign

• Emilia, Iago's wife, Desdemona's maid

• Cassio, Othello's Lieutenant

• Roderigo, a Venetia gentleman. He loves Desdemona

Here it is the summary of Othello

In the beginning of Desdemona and Othello’s marriage, Desdemona’s father Brabantio does not agree their marriage, because Othello is a Black general of the Venetian army. But after Othello tells about himself and Brabantio needs Othello for helping him to solve the problem in his country, Brabantio blesses their marriage.
There is a man named Roderigo who loves Desdemona. He and Iago decide to break their marriage by slandering them. Iago wants to do that because he is upset with Othello for promoting a younger man named Cassio above him.
Iago makes an aside that he has heard rumors that Othello has an affair with Cassio. Unfortunately, they succeed to incite Othello. He is very angry and jealous with Desdemona. Othello decides to kill Desdemona although he really love with her. Then after the death of Desdemona, Othello commites to suicide.

Old English Literature

BEOWULF

The main chracters of Beowulf are:

• The main protagonist is Beowulf. He is a prince of the Geats. He is a young warrior from Geatland.
  

• Hrotgar is a king. He is well loved by his people and successful in war.
  

• The antagonists are Grendel and Grendel’s mother. They are monsters who lives at the bottom of a nearby mere.
  

Here it is the Story of Beowulf...

There is the Great Danish King Scyld, King Hrothgar who builds the Great hall called Heorot for his people. When the hall is finished, he spend the time with his wife and his warriors by singing and celebrating. Suddenly Grendel appears at the hall and kills thirthy of the warriors in their sleep. For the next twelve years, Horthgar and his people helpless against Grendels’s attacks. Then Beowulf comes to help King Hrothgar. He succeeds to kill Grendel by cutting his arm. Grendel's mother is very angry and kills Hrothgar’s most trusted warrior, in revenge for Grendel’s death. Beowulf has a terrible fight with her in the bottom of the lake, but luckily he can kill her with a magical sword. After returning to his home and be the king of the Geats for fifty years he has still the last battle with a dragon. Because of his bravery, he can kill the dragon by cutting it in half. Before he dies, he instruct his man to build a tomb to be known as “Beowulf’s Tower” on the edge of the sea.